How to Store Heat-Treated (ISPM 15) Export Pallets

To keep ISPM 15 heat-treated pallets export-compliant, store them under cover, off the ground, and physically separated from raw timber, bark and sawdust. Keep them dry and ventilated, stack them squarely, rotate stock oldest-first, and protect the IPPC mark from damage — so each pallet ships in the pest-free, dry, correctly-marked condition it left the kiln in.

When you buy ISPM 15 heat-treated pallets for an export shipment, you're paying for one thing above all: a pallet that will clear quarantine at the destination port. What many exporters don't realise is that the compliance you buy on the day of treatment can be lost in your own yard before the container is ever sealed.

Heat treatment kills the pests present in the wood at the moment of treatment. It does not make the timber permanently immune. Store treated pallets carelessly — next to raw timber, out in the rain, or in a damp corner for weeks — and they can be re-infested, grow mould, or have their certification mark damaged. Any of those can mean rejection, fumigation, or a returned shipment at the other end, no matter what mark the pallet carries.

Here's how to store heat-treated export pallets so the compliance you paid for is still intact when they ship.

Why storage matters after heat treatment

To meet the ISPM 15 standard, wood is heated until its core reaches at least 56°C for 30 continuous minutes — the process CeyPall applies and certifies on every export pallet. That heat treatment is a snapshot in time: it eliminates borers, termites and other pests that are in the wood right then.

After that, the wood is ordinary timber again — vulnerable to the same moisture and the same insects as any other piece of wood. In Sri Lanka's climate, where termite and powderpost beetle pressure is high all year, a treated pallet left in the wrong conditions can pick up a fresh infestation within weeks. Quarantine officers at the destination inspect what arrives, not what left the kiln. So storage isn't housekeeping — it's the final step in staying compliant.

Keep treated pallets away from re-infestation

This is the single most important rule, and it's mostly about separation and cleanliness:

Protect them from moisture

Heat-treated pallets leave the kiln dry. Holding that low moisture content keeps them light, strong and free of mould and blue-stain — the grey and blue discoloration that often gets a shipment rejected on appearance alone, even when the wood is perfectly sound.

For more on why moisture matters in transit, see our guide to pallet moisture content.

Stack and rotate correctly

Protect the ISPM 15 mark

The IPPC mark is what customs and quarantine authorities actually read. If it's painted over, gouged, or worn away, the pallet can be treated as non-compliant even though it was correctly heat-treated. A valid mark carries the IPPC wheat symbol, the country code LK for Sri Lanka, the manufacturer's registered facility number, and the treatment code HT.

Handle marked pallets so the stamp stays clean and legible, and don't sticker or paint across the marked faces. Our guide on how to read the IPPC stamp explains what each element means.

Don't forget fire safety

Idle wooden pallets are a well-known fire hazard — the gaps between boards let a fire spread fast, and plastic wrap adds fuel. Keep stored pallets away from ignition sources and electrical equipment, maintain clear separation from buildings and other goods, and don't let outdoor piles grow too large.

Your quick storage checklist

Frequently asked questions

Does heat treatment make pallets permanently pest-free?

No. Heat treatment eliminates the pests present at the time of treatment, but the wood can be re-infested afterwards if it's stored near untreated timber or in poor conditions. Correct storage is what keeps a treated pallet compliant until it ships.

Can heat-treated pallets be stored outside?

It's best avoided. If pallets must sit outside, treat it as short-term staging only — tarp or shade them, keep them elevated, and move them under cover as soon as possible. Prolonged sun and rain cause warping, checking and surface degradation.

How long can you store ISPM 15 pallets before shipping?

There's no fixed expiry on the treatment itself, but the longer pallets sit, the greater the risk of moisture uptake or re-infestation. Store them well, rotate oldest-first, and inspect before dispatch rather than assuming stored stock is still fine.

What happens if the ISPM 15 mark is damaged or unreadable?

A pallet with an illegible or defaced mark may be treated as non-compliant at the destination, even if it was correctly treated. Protect the marked faces during handling and storage.

Do heat-treated pallets need to be kept separate from regular timber?

Yes. Keeping treated, marked pallets physically separated from raw timber, offcuts, bark and sawdust is the most effective way to prevent re-infestation before shipping.

Export pallets that arrive compliant

CeyPall manufactures ISPM 15 / IPPC certified heat-treated pallets for exporters across Sri Lanka, treated and marked to clear quarantine at destination. Trusted by exporters including Akbar Brothers, Hemas Manufacturing and De La Rue, we can advise on the right pallet spec — and the right handling — for your market.

Talk to us about your export pallet requirements: Contact us or call +94 714 711 417.